The Virginia Cavaliers put on a basketball clinic against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, dominating from start to finish in Atlanta. With a commanding 59-27 lead at halftime, Virginia never looked back, cruising to a 94-68 victory. This win marks their seventh consecutive triumph, pushing their record to an impressive 23-3, while Georgia Tech slumps to 11-16 after their eighth straight loss.
Virginia's explosive start was a sight to behold. They jumped out to a 29-7 lead midway through the first half, with Ryan Odom's squad keeping Georgia Tech in single digits until just under six minutes remained in the half. The Cavaliers' first-half performance was highlighted by 14 assists on 22 made shots, shooting 10-of-18 from beyond the arc, and dominating the boards with a 27-14 rebounding advantage.
With a 32-point cushion heading into the second half, Virginia coasted to a 26-point victory. Thijs De Ridder led all scorers with 22 points, shooting an efficient 9-of-13 from the field. Malik Thomas chipped in 17 points, sinking five three-pointers, while Dallin Hall recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists.
Looking at the ACC standings, Virginia is riding the longest active winning streak in the conference, sitting at 11-2 in ACC play. They trail only Duke, who is 13-1, and are just ahead of Miami at 10-3.
With five regular-season games left, including four at home, the Cavaliers have a golden opportunity to make a push for the ACC Tournament's top seed. Their remaining schedule includes crucial matchups against Miami, NC State, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech, with a pivotal road game at Duke.
Virginia's NCAA Tournament prospects are equally intriguing. Ranked No. 14 in both the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll, the Cavaliers have a strong case for a high seed.
They're currently projected as a 5-seed by ESPN's Joe Lunardi, with potential to climb to a 4-seed. Their performance in the NCAA NET Rankings and other metrics like KenPom and BartTorvik also suggest a 5-seed status.
BracketMatrix.com averages Virginia as a 4-seed across 124 brackets, highlighting their strong position. With a 5-2 record in Quad 1 games and perfect records in Quads 3 and 4, the Cavaliers are poised to improve their resume further.
A victory over Duke would be a signature win, boosting their seeding prospects significantly. Wins over Miami and NC State could also enhance their resume, with Miami currently a Quad 2 game and NC State a Quad 1. Losses to Wake Forest or Virginia Tech, however, could be detrimental to their hopes of securing a top-4 seed.
In summary, the Cavaliers are in a strong position as they head into the final stretch of the season. With strategic wins, they could solidify their status as a formidable force in the NCAA Tournament.